SMART $945,000 Data Breach Class Action Settlement

Consumers who received a notice stating their personal information was potentially compromised in the September 2023 International Association of Sheet Metal Air Rail Transportation Workers data breach may qualify to claim a cash payment in a class action settlement.

SMART agreed to pay $945,000 to resolve a class action lawsuit alleging it failed to adequately protect certain personal information during a cybersecurity incident.

Who is eligible to file a SMART claim?

Class members must meet the following criteria:

• They are an individual in the United States.
• They were impacted by the Sept. 9, 2023, International Association of Sheet Metal Air Rail Transportation Workers data breach.
• They received a notice of the incident from SMART (notices were sent beginning Nov. 10, 2023).

How much is the data breach payout?

• Pro rata payment: All eligible class members can claim an equal share of the net settlement fund.
• Out-of-pocket expense reimbursement: Up to $5,000 for documented, unreimbursed expenses resulting from the data breach. Eligible expenses include:
• Unreimbursed bank or credit card fees
• Postage
• Gasoline for local travel
• Credit monitoring or other identity theft monitoring purchased between Sept. 9, 2023, and Aug. 27, 2025

• Credit monitoring: Two years of three-bureau credit monitoring protection services.

How to claim a SMART class action rebate

Class members can file a claim online or download, print and complete a PDF claim form to mail to the settlement administrator. The claim deadline is Aug. 27, 2025.

Settlement administrator's mailing address: SMART Data Incident Settlement Administrator, 1650 Arch St., Suite 2210, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Information and documentation required

• Class members must provide the notice ID and confirmation code as it appears on their personalized settlement notice. Those who do not have their notice ID or confirmation code should contact the settlement administrator.
• For out-of-pocket expense claims, class members must provide substantial and plausible documentation, such as bank statements, credit card statements, invoices or receipts, showing the expenses were related to the data breach.

Payout options

• PayPal
• Venmo
• Zelle
• Virtual prepaid card
• Physical check mailed to the provided address

$945,000 data breach settlement fund breakdown

The $945,000 settlement fund incudes:

• Settlement administration costs: To be determined
• Attorneys' fees: Up to $315,000
• Attorneys' expenses: Up to $30,000
• Service awards to class representatives: $3,500 each ($7,000 total)
• Credit monitoring costs: To be determined
• Payments to eligible class members: Remainder of the fund

Important dates

• Exclusion deadline: July 28, 2025
• Claim deadline: Aug. 27, 2025
• Final fairness hearing: Sept. 9, 2025

When is the SMART settlement payout date?

Payments will be made approximately 30 days after the court grants final approval of the settlement and any appeals are resolved.

Why did this class action settlement happen?

The class action lawsuit alleged International Association of Sheet Metal Air Rail Transportation Workers failed to adequately protect certain personal information during a cybersecurity incident on or about Sept. 9, 2023. The plaintiffs claimed unauthorized users gained access to SMART's network, deployed ransomware and accessed files containing personal information.

SMART denies any wrongdoing or liability but agreed to settle the case to avoid the costs, risks and delays of litigation.

Sources

1. Class notice
2. Settlement agreement
3. Settlement FAQ page